By David Pinto
In a critical sense, the upcoming Annual Meeting of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in Palm Beach, Fla., scheduled to convene in mid-April, is potentially the most significant the chain drug organization has held in a very long time.
For these important reasons:
First, it comes at a time of unprecedented change and unimagined upheaval for the industry NACDS has represented for almost a century. For one thing, the traditional definition of a chain drug store company, one operating four or more stores commonly owned, is a thing of the past. Today’s drug chains are, well, think of Walmart, H-E-B, Kroger, Hy-Vee, Albertsons and dozens of other NACDS members. Now think of the regional drug chains that have replaced the once-invincible national drug chains that, until recently, dominated the chain drug industry. They are still here … but without the dominance that was once unquestioned — and unchallenged.
From a supplier standpoint, the rejiggering of the industry has dramatically altered priorities. At supplier companies throughout the United States, the question of retailer priorities has become paramount in importance — and makes supplier attendance at the Annual Meeting more critical than it has been in some considerable time.
Now, examine, if you will, the current makeup of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. It can be characterized by one word: change. To elaborate, Jim Whitman, for many years — almost 50 — he has been a critical player at NACDS, on hand to solve problems, assist attendees (both retailer and supplier) and keep the meeting on track and on target. This year, he will attend only as an observer, unable to perform his usual role as meeting facilitator.
The repercussions will be … Stay tuned.
Then too, Whitman’s role will be handled by several staffers put into their position to make attendees try to forget the recently retired vice president and welcome, if not immediately embrace, his replacements. How effective will the new chosen group work out in practice? It’s far too soon to tell. But for those who came to trust and rely on Jim Whitman, the answer may well be … Stay tuned.
Finally, the agenda and program choices will no longer work they way they once did. If the overall object remains what it once was, bringing buyers and sellers together, the association must reinforce that objective.
Simply put, more opportunities must be unveiled to bring buyers and sellers together — to keep the business moving forward the way it always has for this peerless organization.
So there you have it. Book your flight to Palm Beach. Enroll in your favorite hotel.
And have a good meeting — you have no other choice.
